German workers protest government wage freeze
October 25, 1982
Bonn
Over 200,000 workers took part in unprecedented union demonstrations opposing government plans to freeze wages and cut social benefits.
It was the first time the 8-million-member German Federation of Labor challenged the new conservative government, which came to power Oct. 1.
The government's program is intended to combat the country's 7.5 percent unemployment. The demonstrations may signal the end of the country's long labor peace.